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CoSW’s Aubrey Jones nominated for Community Action Council’s 2025 Unapologetically Woman Series

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s (CoSW) Dr. Aubrey Jones has been nominated for the Community Action Council’s 2025 Unapologetically Woman Series. The Unapologetically Woman series profiles the lives of women from around the Commonwealth who have made it their mission to serve their communities.

Since its inception, the Unapologetically Woman series has highlighted and lifted the voices of 50 women each year. The cohort of women featured in the 2025 season will then vote to select the person they feel is most deserving of the title Unapologetic Woman of the Year. The Unapologetic Woman of the Year is announced at the Unapologetically Woman Fall Sneaker Ball held in the fall.

Jones, an assistant professor with the CoSW, co-facilitates a fourth-trimester support group for new moms in partnership with UK Healthcare. This research, titled “Creating, Connecting, and Communicating: A look at social support for postpartum women,” offers an in-depth look at the formation, activities, and evaluation of an online support group for mothers within three months postpartum. 

“Postpartum depression is actually the most common complication associated with childbirth,” Jones said. “Having a new baby is supposed to be a joyous and exciting time, but for many moms, it’s not. My research focuses on postpartum depression and social support, because support is critical for new moms and can help alleviate postpartum depression.”

Jones’ extensive research portfolio emphasizes health equity for women and families, particularly in rural settings. She co-authored Exploring predictors of help-seeking behaviors among women with postpartum depression published in Public Health Nursing. 

Jones was also recently a member of the 4th cohort of the Research Scholars Program (RSP), which focuses on transforming healthcare perspectives based on the University of Kentucky’s health-related transdisciplinary Research Priority Areas (cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes & obesity, equity, neuroscience, and substance use). 

“The journey into motherhood is a profound transition marked by joy, uncertainty, and significant changes in identity” Jones said. “I’m hopeful that this research can provide a framework for advancing postpartum healthcare perspectives. Through reflective evaluation and continuous refinement, online support groups can adapt to meet the evolving needs of participants.” 

Joining this prestigious cohort of 50 women in the Unapologetically Woman series, Jones reflects on the supportive women in her life.

“Surround yourself with a supportive group of women. Whether it’s your mom, your sister, or even strangers who become friends, having that village is so important,” Jones said. “And be that support for others, too. With that kind of community, you can accomplish anything.”

Social Work faculty and students present research at 2025 Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference

SEATTLE, Wash. — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s (CoSW) research was on full display at the 2025 Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) 29th Annual Conference, taking place in Seattle from January 15-19th.

The SSWR Annual Conference offers a scientific program that reflects a broad range of research interests. This year’s theme was Strengthening Social Impact through Collaborative Research. The CoSW featured a diverse lineup of talented students and faculty, delivering over 20 juried presentations.

“Attending and presenting my research at the SSWR Annual Conference was an incredible experience,” said assistant professor Taylor Dowdy-Hazlett, who had six presentations over the course of the conference. “I was able to share the work I am doing with a community of passionate social workers and deepen my understanding of the research that is positively impacting communities. Being around my peers and experts in the field is always an exciting time.”  

Highlights from this year’s conference included:

  • Antonio Garcia presenting on best practices for engaging gay latino male sexual assault survivors, ensuring trauma-informed and culturally relevant care
  • Levone Lee, Anne Stauffer and Tarkington Newman sharing interdisciplinary insights on education and training for Sport Social Workers 
  • Abigail Latimer, Natalie Pope and Shelby Clark sharing insights on facilitators and barriers in serious illness care for unhoused older adults 
  • Keith Watts on the protective role of social support, examining the relationship between discrimination and well-being in Black LGB Individuals
  • Aaron Brown and Aubrey Jones exploring healthcare providers’ attitudes toward medications for opioid use disorder during pregnancy
  • Rebecca Bosetti on recognizing sexual well-being as a social work imperative and moving towards a sex-positive curriculum 

Among those presenters, four current PhD students shared their research at this year’s conference. Included in this group was Ryan Barney, who presented on social worker’s experiences with moral distress, alongside faculty members Dowdy-Hazlett, Natalie Pope, Shelby Clark, Abigail Latimer and Cherra Mathis.

“SSWR was a great opportunity for me to get acquainted with a lot of exciting research being done in our profession,” Barney said. “I also appreciated the chance to connect with so many impressive scholars from around the country.”

For 85 years, CoSW faculty have conducted cutting-edge research aimed at addressing society’s most challenging social conditions. Over the last five years specifically, the College’s extramural research folio has grown by 335%.

As part of the Forward, Together Strategic Framework, the College continues to make significant investments to bolster research efforts consistent with the University of Kentucky’s Research Priorities Initiative. These investments include new pilot initiatives designed to expand professional development opportunities, increase support for extramural proposals, and strategically disseminate resources.

For more information about the SSWR Annual Conference, please click here.

University of Kentucky College of Social Work to Attend Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference

Lexington, KY – The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) is excited to participate in the 2025 Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR)  29th Annual Conference, taking place in Seattle on January 15-19th.

The SSWR Annual Conference offers a scientific program that reflects a broad range of research interests. This year’s theme is Strengthening Social Impact through Collaborative Research. Building on the momentum of last year, the College will feature a diverse lineup of talented students and faculty, delivering over 20 juried presentations.

Highlights include:

  • Antonio Garcia presenting on best practices for engaging gay latino male sexual assault survivors, ensuring trauma-informed and culturally relevant care
  • Levone Lee, Anne Stauffer and Tarkington Newman sharing interdisciplinary insights on education and training for Sport Social Workers 
  • Abigail Latimer, Natalie Pope and Shelby Clark sharing insights on facilitators and barriers in serious illness care for unhoused older adults 
  • Keith Watts on the protective role of social support, examining the relationship between discrimination and well-being in Black LGB Individuals
  • Aaron Brown and Aubrey Jones exploring healthcare providers’ attitudes toward medications for opioid use disorder during pregnancy
  • Rebecca Bosetti on recognizing sexual well-being as a social work imperative and moving towards a sex-positive curriculum 

For 85 years, CoSW faculty have conducted cutting-edge research aimed at addressing society’s most challenging social conditions. Over the last five years specifically, the College’s extramural research folio has grown by 335%.

As part of the Forward, Together Strategic Framework, the College continues to make significant investments to bolster research efforts consistent with the University of Kentucky’s Research Priorities Initiative. These investments include new pilot initiatives designed to expand professional development opportunities, increase support for extramural proposals, and strategically disseminate resources.

CoSW looks forward to engaging with the broader social work community at the 2025 SSWR Annual Conference and continuing to strengthen social impact through collaborative research.

For more information about the SSWR Annual Conference, please click here.

Fostering Connections: ASK Program’s Support in National Adoption Month

November is National Adoption Month and at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work, the Adoption Support for Kentucky (ASK) program supports foster and adoptive parents daily through trainings and support groups.

ASK is an award-winning program that utilizes innovative training modalities and inclusive support group practices to meet the needs of foster, adoptive, relative, and fictive-kin caregivers throughout the Commonwealth. In FY23, ASK provided training and support to 4,232 individuals, covering foster and adoptive-related topics.  

One of the most important aspects of these support groups and trainings is the opportunity for these caregivers to connect with other parents who have shared experiences as they navigate this difficult but rewarding journey.

“We are all here for connection. That is what the heart and core of ASK is, is for that connection and networking. We’re not alone doing this and that’s what I want people to know,” said Angela Jamison, an ASK Adoptive Parent Liaison (APL).

Jamison, a foster and adoptive parent of nearly 15 years, has had 13 children through her home, with most being long-term placements. She currently has five children in her home that are adopted, including four teenagers and a three-year-old.

A big aspect of Jamison’s training is focused on self-care for foster and adoptive caregivers, particularly around taking care of oneself amidst the chaos of daily life.

“So often we don’t take enough time for ourselves, and I think it’s vital. If we’re not caring for ourselves, we’re doing a disservice for the children in our homes. It is imperative that we make time and make an effort to take care of ourselves. That’s also what ASK is, taking time for ourselves,” Jamison said.

Sheila Minton, an ASK Support Group Leader, echoes the same sentiment in her support groups.

“Take five minutes out of your busy life and do something for you. If your cup is empty, how can you fill someone else’s?” Minton said.

Minton has been a foster parent for over 10 years and has four adopted children, as well as over 30 children, ages 0-6, through her home.

“I’ve been with ASK for five-plus years and I absolutely love it. I love helping people, that’s what I do. Through ASK, you can get a group of foster parents together and talk about the things that are painful, the joy, the tears, the happiness. We get to celebrate each other,” Minton said.

Both Jamison and Minton echoed that being a foster and adoptive parent is one of the hardest but most rewarding journeys. Utilizing the support groups and trainings that ASK has to offer is an opportunity to find support with others who are experiencing similar thoughts and emotions in their daily lives.

The ASK Support Groups and Trainings range from transracial parenting and healing after a foster child leaves your home, to support groups for LGBTQ+ foster and adoptive parents, as well as a support group for foster and adoptive parents of teens. All support groups and trainings offered can be found here.

As future foster and adoptive parents begin their journey, Jamison mentions there is never a perfect time and to trust and give grace as you begin.

“I tell my children every day ‘I choose you.’ I choose you on the hard days, I choose you on the easy days. And I will choose you every day. Every child in the state of Kentucky and around the world, no matter their past, deserves to know that they’re chosen,”’ Jamison said.

During National Adoption Month and every month, ASK continues to provide a safe space for caregivers to continue to grow, learn and connect as they navigate this difficult but rewarding journey, because the kids are worth it.